It's been a while since I've posted here and normally that would just be laziness or not taking the necessary time. But the reason I have been an absentee blog is because I have done major revisions on my novel. It was a convoluted story that needed a serious hair cut. And now that the major revisions have been done I I hope to have everything wrapped up and ready to publish in a month or so.

I have decided I'm going to publish with Kindle. I've been torn through this whole process, because there is nothing like holding a good book in your hand on the couch, in front of a fire, but it's not an easy task to get published in print even if you have a good product and dedicate most of your time to writing. Like movies these days, publishers want to print something that will guarantee them money at the end of the day; they are a business.

Kindle is both a blessing and a curse. On one end of the spectrum it gives writers like myself a chance to publish the work or works that have kept them couped up in the house for months or even more. On the other hand it lets every Joe blow (or Josephine blow) who throws a couple of pages down one afternoon think they are the next Stephen King.

But we as writers can't have it both ways. You can either put up with a few hacks to make sure that your product sees the light of day or bury that manuscript you've been working so hard on in your top drawer and mention it to friends in passing.

Writing is a great way to deal with inner demons or placate your overactive mind, but really at the end of the day isn't it the purpose for people to read what you have written? I am going with the latter.

GH

So Thursday September 15 was the opening gala film and part for the 31st annual Atlantic Film Fest and what a way to start.

I made my way to the screening with one of the editors of the film that opened the Festival. Roller Town was a big hit to the three sold out theaters it played in. It was a well done comedy and you can catch the cast and crew in their new comedy series, Picnicface, debuting on The Comedy Network.

And with any opening film at a big festival like this, then there also must be a very good party to attend afterwards. And let me tell you it was a heckuva party. With the film set in the late 70's and the plot revolving a roller rink, the after party was decorated with disco balls, roller skates and the local Roller Derby Association coming out in costume to literally roll around the party.

Despite the fact that the venue for the after party was about 900 degrees, it was a good time had by all. My good friend and I met with some producers, other writers and I talked to some of the cast of the film as well.

After the after party was done a few of us hit downtown Halifax for some drinks. We stumbled into a dance bar where everyone seemed like a rejected member of Jersy shore. Our next stop was outside of a club where two guys were doing what they do best, fighting over a girl, but our last stop brought us to the Ale House where we were able to get a few more rounds, talk shop, and then finally make it back home for about 5 am.

So needless to say the opening night was a great way to open some future networks, meet some new folks and drink good beer. In fact, I am heading back up to Halifax tomorrow to take in a bunch more events, schmooze and have an all round good time.

I'll be back next week with some more news and stuff about the Atlantic Film Fest. And remember if you see the movie Roller Town on disc or qued up in Netflix, give it a watch, you won't regret it.

GH

I hope all those that were in the path of Irene came out of it with little to no damage. We here in Nova Scotia escaped the worst of it, but we know how devastating such a storm can be. So here's to all of you who were affected by the storm.

So I go from the very serious impact of Irene to something that impacted me a few weeks ago. Not so much to do with writing, but it has a direct correlation to creative rights. In a world that has become so concerned with representing the minority, there are times when we may take it one step too far. And I think that step was when certain groups cried out for the immortal and lovable Bert and Ernie to get married.

I'm not trying to spout my ignorance on gay rights, I applaud the gay marriage laws and I certainly believe in the right to freedom of expression, but to make these two characters of Sesame Street fame marry, was troubling. I remember being a kid and watching ole Bert and Ernie sharing the same bedroom but occupying separate beds and I still remember thinking that they were brothers. And that's all they ever were to me and probably to many of you. Just two brothers who taught us how to spell, count and catch fish simply by saying "heeeereeee fishy, fishy, fishy".

Our adult world, ideals and misunderstandings of the simple ideas of a child have drifted a long way from us. It began with some adults wanting to change the name of the show to Sesame Park because they felt the term street was encouraging our kids to play in the street. Then they made cookie monster say that his namesake was only a sometimes treat. Why can't we leave some of these things untouched, remove our adult hands from dirtying up the simplicity of it all.

So I commend the creators and the writers of the show to stick to their guns and not have Bert and Ernie marry. Let cookie monster eat his cookies all day and to all of us that grew up with Grover, the Count, Oscar, Big Bird and the whole crew, may it always remain Sesame Street!

GH

So this is a blog about writing and all the fun and interesting things you get to do and imagine. Yeah, its also filled with more hazards than a golf course and if you want to write for any period of time and have folks read it, I gotta say you should also come equipped with some pretty big shoulders too.

I've always wanted to be a writer (except for the briefest of stints when I took science in 1st year University and failed miserably). From the first book I wrote in grade 4 (which had a horrific and gruesome ending) to getting very close to publishing a novel online with Kindle, the desire to create, live in an imaginary world and write has never died.

This is just the beginning. In a couple of weeks I'll have some news, notes and comments on The Atlantic Film festival which will be rolling out in Halifax in September. I hope to meet some other great writers, producers and will catch some excellent films along the way.

So stay tuned for more and get a little glimpse on being me.

GH